A space had cleared around us. Nobody wanted to be within our range. No distractions, not even Drew popping up to make some stupid comment. I’d have welcomed his stupid comments for once.
“So, you’re teaching Drew guitar?” she said.
Things had become awkward between us. I’d made them awkward. I’d pushed us into this place.
“Yeah, I lost a bet.”
She nodded. I’m not sure if she knew about the details or not but it’d be a dick move to tell her, since she was the one he’d dated. Not even I’d tell someone they were asked out because of a challenge.
Up on stage, Razer began setting up. His band was with him. They seemed pretty damn pleased with themselves. They’d done it. They were on top of the world. I didn’t know what the guys were going to play. Some old standards so that they didn’t have to learn anything new, probably.
I glanced over at Gina. She hadn’t moved off but she wasn’t looking at me either. If I was a strong man, I’d have walked away and left her alone. This was no place for me to be, standing at the bar beside her as though nothing had happened between us. Almost touching her, occasionally brushing against her as someone pushed through to get a drink. This was temptation, dangerous and wrong.
She had a strange look on her face.
“Why did you do it?” she asked.
I was going to ask what but I knew full well what she meant. I’d sound like a bastard even asking. Fact is, I’d sound like a bastard in any possible outcome here. I figured I’d go with the truth.
“I’m not the one for you,” I told her. “There’s nothing here for you.”
“Don’t I get to decide that?” She scowled.
“My life is going to be a downhill slide from here on. It’s not going to get any better. Look at these guys. Look at Razer and Alex and Holden. Hell, even look at Drew. They might all fall into a heap, become has-beens or never-beens but they’re young enough to have dreams and the energy to go after them.”
“That’s not good enough,” she said. “That’s no excuse.”
She folded her arms and the band started. They started with a Rolling Stones song. Good choice. It got the energy up in the room. Gina stayed next to me but closed off. The music surrounded us but we were both alone.
Was she right? Should I have let her decide? I wanted to protect her from anything that could harm her even if it meant protecting her from myself. But it was possible that she was stronger than I gave her credit for.
When the song finished, Razer looked in my direction with an odd expression on his face. Almost fear. I had no idea what that was about until he played the opening bars.
I walked out, pushing my way through the crowd. It was only when I got downstairs, I realized I still had my drink, and Carlie’s, in my hands. I polished them both off, then headed out to the street. I couldn’t stay in the bar and listen to that song.
As I walked away, I heard footsteps behind me.
“What’s wrong?” Gina asked. “Why are you leaving?”
“No reason,” I said. “I’m fine.”
She fell into step beside me. “I want an explanation. I think I deserve that much.”
“For which part?”
“For it all.”
I wanted to put my arm around her and pull her tight but that wasn’t going to happen. I’d come this far, I couldn’t change my tack.
“I’d need a drink for that story,” I said.
She opened her jacket and pulled out a bottle of whiskey she’d secreted inside.
“I thought you’d say that.”
I stopped in my tracks and couldn’t help the grin from spreading across my face.
“You stole that? From the bar?”